I know that I haven't visited here too much lately, but I would like to change that. I can't make too many promises but hopefully more than a few times a year.

One of my plans will help with that, as you will see I've updated and fixed a bunch of broken images. While doing that a few were added, like my Tumblr and my Twitch links.

I'm still new to the whole streaming thing, and I'm still working on getting things set up and optimized. However... I have had a plan for a very long time. And that is to stream the Bionicle games.

I have a few of them:Lego Bionicle: Tales of the Tohunga - GBA - 2001 - (This game is considered canon with the G1 storyline)Bionicle: Matoran Adventures - GBA - 2002Bionicle: The Game - GCN - 2003Bionicle: The Game - GBA - 2003Bionicle Heroes - Wii - 2007

I also have Bionicle: Maze of Shadows which is currently either in Wisconsin or in storage with stuff that survived Hurricane Sandy. In addition, I do have Bionicle Heroes for the DS, but as I do not have a 3DS with a capture card I can't really play that one for all of you.

Basically, I want you to choose which game I start with. (If I locate Maze of Shadows it will be added into a future poll.)

So Super Mario Maker just came out a few days ago, and I've got to say it is a lot of fun so far. Both playing creative levels and making them.

I've really only gone through about half of my ideas regarding levels... and I am constantly adding more.

I thought I would share some of the ideas I've already shared on my tumblr here.

This stage is the battleship Halberd from the Kirby series. You adventure over it, past the Combo Canon and even fight a few bosses.This is currently my most popular stage, and I'm pretty dang proud of it.

Course ID: 1071-0000-002C-2041

If you do not have Super Mario Maker and are curious you can see the stage here:

Next up we have Ashley's Spooky Mansion:

Who's the girl next door living in the haunted mansion?

This stage takes you through Ashley's Song. The course ID is: 0023-0000-0035-50D5

For those of you who have the game you can see these stages and more. I have 13 stages up so far, so I will share a few more very soon. I do post them under my Super Mario Maker tag on tumblr first. I just posted one a short while ago too.

Now... before I start off let me just say that Lego Dimensions looks absolutely fantastic and I really want to like this game. I honestly do. It looks witty and funny. But... they aren't selling you a complete game. Why? Because the model works. Look at Activision's Skylanders series and Disney's Infinity series.

But with Skylanders you don't need every figure to be able to play and enjoy the games. The figures add do the series and you do need some level packs for additional content but you are still getting a full game.

Disney infinity however... uses the same model as Lego Dimensions does. If you want to play all the levels... you need the figures. Or at the very least the playsets that unlock the content.

The problem I have is Lego Dimensions is really trying to get that cash from everyone. If you add up the cost of the starter pack, the level packs, the team packs, and the character packs it comes to an incredible $784.62. (If you are curious about my calculations you can see them all here in a google doc. All prices are USD and before tax.)

But Kohaku, they aren't releasing all of this at the same time and the game has stuff with the $99.99 starter pack. Ahhh but the starter pack only has three worlds. If you want to experience the entire story that the game has to offer you need the level packs. Those will run you a total of $179.94. It adds up very fast.

Now let's say you want different characters and teams, then you you have to pay $24.99 for those team packs. The level packs themselves cost $29.99! Team packs are $5 cheaper but offer a lot less content for your money.

Now add in the fun packs at $14.99 each which have one character and one gadget/vehicle and the price really shoots up. Those fun packs add up to a whopping $404.73. Let's face it the fun packs are basically just character packs. Now I know not every one is going to get every single one. But this is just glorified DLC... except the content is already on the disc. You just can't access it without buying these expensive character packs.

My point is to be able to make the most out of Lego Dimensions you need to throw down a lot of money. (As we all know I have little money to throw down.) And the way that they do it I really don't like. I don't like this as a Lego fan or as a gamer.

Lego may be a very profitable company right now, but some of their decisions... I really don't care for lately. This being the largest of them.

Remember that price of $784.62. It is currently cheaper to buy every character in the Smash Bros. line up at MSRP (now I am including unreleased ones, but Nintendo has said every character including DLC like Lucas and Ryu is getting an amiibo.)

That cost is $714.45. And those amiibo all work in multiple games across the Wii U and New 3DS platforms. Also for the most part they look really good and are even suitable to be put on display.

The Minifigs from Lego Dimensions... I can see that stuff all getting lost very easily. Especially as they are aimed at kids. Sorry little Timmy, but we can't afford to get you that character pack again. It's just too expensive.

Now I should note that they have said they plan to update it yearly. But to get that content even after they update the game... guess what you are going to need to buy? More level packs, team packs and you guessed it some more character packs.

I really wanted to like Lego Dimensions... but right now I hate the model they went with. And honestly... with Skylanders, Disney Infinity, Amiibo, and now Lego Dimensions... the Toys to Life market is becoming crowded. I do think someone is going to crash and burn much like things did years ago with Guitar Hero and Rockband. Too much of the same idea will lead to lower profits for all of these companies. It is very hard for a newcomer into the market. Lego Dimensions does have a great marketing team, but Skylanders, Disney Infinity and Nintendo's Amiibo have all proven themselves. They all print money. But if I had to predict a company having issues with profitability it would be Lego followed by Disney Infinity. These two companies seem to be the ones that are milking their fans the most.

But Kohaku, what about Amiibo and Skylanders? Amiibo are from Nintendo. They've been a massive success and Nintendo can't keep up with demand. Skylanders you also get a full game. They also have Nintendo's support with the Bowser and Donkey Kong figures that will be compatible with both Skylanders(only on Nintendo systems though, sorry, Microsoft and Sony) and Amiibo.

Sorry Lego, but as good as Lego Dimensions looks... I'm going to be giving it a pass.

(I do also plan to have another entry up later about Super Mario Maker. It might happen tonight or tomorrow.)